The Avon Lake Shoremen are taking a road trip to challenge the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Avon Lake will be strutting in after a victory while Olmsted Falls will be coming in after a defeat.
Avon Lake had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the seven-run drubbing they dealt North Olmsted on Thursday. The Shoremen blew past the Eagles 10-3. The Shoremen not only won on Thursday, but they posted their biggest win since April 3rd (when they won 15-5).
Erin Dean spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned runs on five hits.
On the hitting side, Emerson Burgess was a standout: she went 4-for-5 with one home run, three runs, and one stolen base. That's the most hits she has posted since back in April. Briana Webster was another key player, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with two runs, one triple, and one double.
Avon Lake was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. They are 5-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Meanwhile, Olmsted Falls suffered their closest loss since April 2nd on Wednesday. They fell just short of Avon Lake by a score of 5-3.
MOLLY SHEEHAN was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She struck out 11 batters over six innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off two hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
SHEEHAN wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was ASHLEY SCOTT, who went 1-for-3 with one RBI.
Olmsted Falls' defeat dropped their record down to 12-10. As for Avon Lake, their win ended a five-game drought on the road and puts them at 6-12.
Avon Lake's speedy runners might be the difference in Monday's contest. The Shoremen have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.9 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Olmsted Falls, though, as they've been averaging only 0.8 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Avon Lake continue to outrun the ball?
Avon Lake skirted past Olmsted Falls 5-3 in their previous matchup on Wednesday. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Shoremen since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
